Archive for March, 2011

The Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association is proud to host a five-member goodwill delegation from Sapporo, Japan later this month. The delegates are representing the 42nd Annual English Oratorical Contest held in Sapporo last fall. The tradition of the oratorical competition began in November of 1969, the tenth anniversary of the sister city relationship between Portland and Sapporo.

Iketa Tomaho – poses with her trophy

Four contest winners plus a chaperone will visit Portland from March 26 through April 2. While in town, they’ll be hosted by local families; they’ll tour the city, visit Portland’s Japanese Garden, attend a Trail Blazer game and give their winning speeches in the Council Chamber at City Hall.

The Oratorical presentations will take place on Monday, March 28, at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome to come and hear the speeches and show their appreciation to the winners, including:

15-year-old Iketo Tamaho of Fuji Girls Junior High School, 1st Place Winner of the Junior High Division. The title of her speech is “My Thank You Letter.”

Watanabe Ryo of Hokurei Junior High School, 2nd Place winner in the Junior High Division; the title of his speech is “Bushido – The Moral Spirit of Japan.”

Maruo Natsumi of Sapporo Minami Senior High School, age 17, 1st Place High School Division; her speech is “Seeds of Peace.”

Takase Mika (a Call Center agent) age 30, 1st Place winner in the University & Adult Division; her speech is “Pink Month.”

PSSCA wants to thank the generous supporters who have offered lodging and gifts to the goodwill delegation. In light of the recent tragic events in Japan, Portland is fortunate to have these representatives visit from our very first sister city, Sapporo.